SA donates over R90m to Mali fund

Johannesburg - South Africa has donated more than R90 million to curb violence in Mali, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Tuesday.

“On behalf of President Jacob Zuma, the Republic of South Africa pledges US10 million (more than R90 million)... for the capacitation of police forces, to the Mali Donor Fund,” she said at a Mali Donor Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“South Africa rises on this occasion to add its voice to those of our fellow African brothers and sisters and the international roleplayers in condemning the acts of violence perpetrated against the peoples of Mali.”

Mapisa-Nqakula said South Africa had also sent Euro10 million (about R122m) worth of humanitarian aid to the country.

This was in addition to the US55m (about R499m) pledged by the African Union to the donor fund.

“It is hoped that this is the materialisation of Africa's aspiration to stand up against the grave acts of those who opt for blood shedding and political turmoil in trying to satisfy their needs and sometimes, wants,” she said.

The new forces would try to support the Malian army against Al-Qaeda-aligned groups which took control of the northern part of the country.

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